
The volume of wastewater you will need to treat, the amount of space available at your facility, and your budget will help you determine whether you will use dry or liquid polymers during treatment.
Full Answer
How are polymers used in wastewater treatment?
Almost any industry that needs to remove solids from their wastewater stream can use polymers in their treatment process. For instance, aggregate producers use water to wash the sand, gravel, or other aggregates they produce. The wash water picks up dirt, clay, and silt during the washing process.
How do polymers flocculate water?
Polymers separate solids from liquids through a process called flocculation. Due to the name of the process, you’ll hear these specific water-soluble polymers referenced as flocculants or polymer flocculants. The polymers’ ability to flocculate solids is central to their role in water treatment.
What are water-soluble polymers used for?
Specific, water-soluble polymers are widely used in wastewater treatment to remove suspended solids and/or contaminants from the water. They’re used regularly in municipal, industrial, and stormwater treatment systems, but many consumers aren’t aware of their importance.
Why do we need to reduce the amount of polymers needed?
That reduction decreases the overall quantity of polymers needed to treat the sludge. Less sludge and less polymer products needed saves time, labor, energy, wear and tear on plant infrastructure, sludge transport and disposal. Most importantly, it can help save money. All water is not equal in the treatment of wastewater.

What is the purpose of polymer in water treatment?
In wastewater treatment plants, polymers are primarily used to help manage the process of drying and consolidating sludge. Sludge created during the wastewater treatment process is typically a mixture of 5-10% waste material and 90-95% water.
How do you select a chemical coagulant and flocculant?
1) The amount of alkalinity present in the water may eliminate some coagulants from consideration. 2) The amount of turbidity present may only determine the amount of coagulant that may be required. One also has to be aware of how the raw water quality will change as a function of the time of the year.
Is polymer a coagulant or flocculant?
Polymers (long-chained, high-molecular-weight, organic chemicals) are becoming more widely used. These can be used as coagulant aids along with the regular inorganic coagulants. Anionic (negatively charged) polymers are often used with metal coagulants.
Which polyelectrolyte is used in water treatment?
The natural polyelectrolytes used in wastewater treatments include chitosan, glue, starch, gelatin galactomannans, cellulose derivatives and tannin (Elhakeem et al., 2014; Jabin and Kapoor, 2020) . ...
Does flocculant lower pH?
Because flocculants can affect the pH level, you'll want to start out with it at about 7.0 so you can make sure your sanitizer keeps working at maximum efficiency.
What is the difference between a flocculant and a coagulant?
Coagulation is a chemical process. Flocculation is a physical process. Coagulants such as inorganic salts of aluminum or iron that neutralize the suspended particles are added during coagulation. Flocculant such as an organic polymer that involves in bridging and strengthening the flocs is added.
What kind of polymer is used in water treatment?
0:092:46Polymers in wastewater treatment - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPolymers are the most important product line for Chimaera widely used across our end customerMorePolymers are the most important product line for Chimaera widely used across our end customer industries in their raw waste. And process water applications Chimaera has a wide selection of different
Why is polymeric coagulant added to raw water?
Polyelectrolytes and/or inorganic coagulants are used to improve filtration efficiency and run length. Polymers are favored because they do not create additional suspended solids loading, which can shorten filter run length. Filter design may be downflow or upflow, depending on raw water turbidity and particle size.
How do you remove polymers from water?
In terms of water purification, >90% of the polymer (of molecular weight 160,000) was removed from solution by using 200 mg of the acidic clay per 50 mL of aqueous solution.
Is polyelectrolyte a flocculant?
Polyelectrolyte flocculants are polymers that are either branched or linear, but carrying ionic charge along their chain. They are accordingly classified as cationic, anionic or non-ionic polymers. These flocculants neutralise surface charges on cells and bind particles together by physical or chemical forces.
What is the purpose of polyelectrolyte?
Polyelectrolytes are chemical flocculants used in water treatment; they act mainly in the coagulation-flocculation stage and in the conditioning/thickening of the sludge line.
What is Poly in ETP?
Offering you a complete choice of products which include Poly Aluminium Chloride Liquid, Anionic Polyelectrolyte, Cationic Polyelectrolyte Powder, Poly Aluminium Chloride Powder, Caustic Soda Lye and Caustic Soda Flakes. Poly Aluminium Chloride Liquid.
What is the test used to select the type of coagulant required?
Explanation: 1 micrometer is equal to 10-6 meter. 1 nanometer is equal to 10-9 meter. Explanation: The purpose of this test is to select types of coagulant (alum) and also to estimate the optimal dose needed in removing the charged particles that occurred in raw water.
What chemical is used for flocculation?
The iron-based flocculants include ferric chloride, ferric sulfate, ferrous sulfate, and ferric chloride sulfate [15, 69]. Aluminum sulfate or alum (Al2(SO4)3), ferric chloride (FeCl3) and ferric sulfate (Fe(SO4)3) are the most widely used flocculants [1, 70].
What factors influence coagulation and flocculation?
The factors that influence coagulation–flocculation are, among others, temperature, pH, effluent quality, dosage and coagulant type (Nnaji 2012; Jin 2005; Ma et al. 2001). The suspended particles vary considerably in source, composition charge, particle size, shape, and density.
What makes a good flocculant?
Polymers are useful as flocculants because they are robust molecules and sometimes carry charges. Because they are so large, small particles can get trapped in the curves of the polymer causing them to accumulate a mass heavy enough to prevent their retention in solution.
Why are polymers important in wastewater treatment?
As you can tell, polymers play an important role in wastewater treatment. Besides separating solids from liquids, they also help thicken sludge and dewater contaminated material for easier handling and disposal. Removing the water content from a waste sludge can change the waste properties from liquid to solid waste.
How does polymer dosing work?
By using a polymer dosing system, producers can inject the polymer solution directly into their settling ponds. The polymer dosing increases the sedimentation rate, provides clean water, and thickens the sludge at the pond’s bottom for easier management and disposal.
What are polymers used for?
However, they don’t just make products. Specific polymers are widely used in wastewater treatment to remove suspended solids and/or contaminants from the water. They’re used regularly in municipal, industrial, and stormwater treatment systems, but many consumers aren’t aware of their importance. Polymers are nothing short of incredible.
How do polymers separate solids from liquids?
Polymers separate solids from liquids through coagulation and flocculation. Their ability to do so is central to their critical role in wastewater treatment. Most industrial process water or wastewater includes sediment and particles with a negative electric charge.
What industries use polymers?
Industries That Use Polymers to Treat Wastewater. Almost any industry that needs to remove solids from their wastewater stream can use polymers in their treatment process. For instance, aggregate producers use water to wash the sand, gravel, or other aggregates they produce.
How long does it take for a polymer solution to settle?
In many cases, one can watch polymer solutions settle solids out of liquid suspension in real-time. The liquid/solid separation that once took days or even months when left to gravity alone can typically be achieved in minutes or seconds with properly prepared, activated, and applied polymer.
What is a wastewater treatment polymer?
Wastewater treatment polymers usually come in either a dry granular form or a liquid form. The liquified polymers are known as emulsions and contain surfactants and emulsifying agents. These are roughly 1/3 equal parts and required to keep the flocculant portion in a readily available condition.
Why is it easier to get a desalinator or a water filter?
This is because polymer dosing takes a lot more effort than other water treatment methods.
What is the best way to treat water?
The Best Polymer Dosing Wastewater Treatment. Polymer dosing is a great way to treat water but not necessarily something that you can do in your kitchen at home. One should treat this polymer method with a lot of respect. For instance, making sure that you always wear personal protective equipment when working with it.
What is the function of polymers in wastewater treatment?
Function of Polymer in Wastewater Treatment. Polymers are synthetic organic compounds that purify and treats dirty water. It can also be used to thicken, de-water or clarify wastewater. Three forms are available: Cationic Polymers: attract negatively charged ions in solution.
Why is polymer water treatment important?
In simple terms, because it is very effective at purifying highly contaminated water. This includes swamp water and wastewater. A polymer is an large organic molecule. In wastewater treatment processes, polymers make all the particles join together and leave behind clean water.
What determines the most effective type of polymer to use?
The nature of the target particles, the properties of the liquid, including pH, electrical conductivity, hardness and added chemicals, determine the most effective type of polymer to use.
Which type of polymer attracts negatively charged ions in solution?
Cationic Polymers: attract negatively charged ions in solution. Anionic polymers: attract ions with positive charge in solution. Nonionic polymers: show a neutral behavior in the solution. The polymer attracts all fine particles suspended in a liquid to form larger groups called “flakes”.
Dewatering optimization with in-line and real-time measurement of polymer: results from full-scale treatment plants
Full-scale testing was carried out at two wastewater treatment plants to determine whether residual polymer concentration, measured by filtrate and centrate absorbance at 191 nm, can be used to identify the optimum polymer dose and achieve in-line and real-time dewatering optimization.
Sütaş Aksaray & Karacabey Project - Case Study
Customer: Arbiogaz (Turkey) Project Name: Sütaş Aksaray & Karacabey Project Manufacturing year: 2007 etc.; Material: CS + Sand B. + Epoxy Coating Scope of supply 1 +1 pcs. ...
Cypher Environmental, Brandon University Featured in Automotive News Canada
HAMID MUMIN [L] & RILEY CRAM [R] INSPECT SOIL QUALITY DURING EARTHZYME® APPLICATION IN BRANDON, MB [PHOTO: NIC HERZOG] Automotive News Canada recently published an article entitled ‘Canadian Universities Providing Vital Auto ...
Water Clarification: DESCRIPTION
Tramfloc, Inc. offers a complete line of polyelectrolytes for water clarification. The polymer product line includes a series of synthetic organic polymers which possess a progressive degree of anionic or cationic charge. These products are designed for use as primary coagulants or as flocculants for clarifying water supplies.
Water Clarification: PRINCIPLES
The purpose of water clarification is to remove the suspended particles from natural water supplies such as river or lake waters. Such removal is necessary whether the water is used for drinking, for cooling or for any number of industrial or commercial processes.
Water Clarification: CATIONIC POLYMERS
Cationic organic polymers of appreciable charge density like Dadmac based cationic flocculants are primary coagulants just as are the conventional inorganic coagulants, alum and iron salts, which hydrolyze to form inorganic cationic polymers.
Water Clarification: NONIONIC AND ANIONIC POLYMERS
Nonionic, anionic and even weakly cationic organic polymers function basically as flocculants or coagulant aids rather than as primary coagulants. They have little or no effect in neutralizing negative particle changes, but instead function by improving the bridging action of the primary coagulants.
Water Clarification: FEEDING ORGANIC POLYMERS
Detailed instructions for dissolving and feeding each of the Tramfloc polymer products discussed herein are given in individual product bulletins which are available upon request or via our website, www.tramfloc.com. A few general principles, however, apply to all organic polymers.
How does Neo Waterfx 300 work?
On average, this tends to be about two (2) pounds of solids per 1,000 gallons of flow. To settle that quantity of solids, some amount of ferric- or aluminum compound is needed. However, more of these compounds are often added to also reduce phosphorus levels to the required targets. The addition of these coagulants generates additional solids and adds to the total amount of solids present in the water. Thus, using ferric- or aluminum-based compounds to settle solids and reduce phosphorus levels produces a cumulative effect on the quantity of sludge and adds to the sludge management problem.
Why do wastewater treatment plants use polymers?
Wastewater treatment plants primarily use polymers in the sludge drying process to help congeal small pieces of biosolids into larger ones . That is because the use of ferric- ...
What is Neo Waterfx 300?
At the bottom of the clarifier tanks, Neo WaterFX 300 (formerly RE300) creates a thicker, denser sludge that contains less water. That reduces the need required quantities of expensive polymer chemistry, which helps to reduce costs.
Why use polymer products in wastewater treatment?
The use of polymer products is needed in wastewater treatment when the traditional iron-based (“ferric”) and aluminum-based compounds are used to deal with the core problem of phosphorus reduction. We discussed that issue in a previous article about managing phosphorus more efficiently. Ferric- and aluminum-based coagulants are effective in ...
Why do polymer sales continue?
Polymer sales people continue to sell polymer products into the wastewater treatment market because the market is so large and because those are the products they have available to sell. However, savvy plant operators increasingly understand that polymer products are treating the symptoms instead of the root causes of wastewater treatment problems. ...
What is wastewater polymer?
In wastewater treatment plants, polymers are primarily used to help manage the process of drying and consolidating sludge. Sludge created during the wastewater treatment process is typically a mixture of 5-10% waste material and 90-95% water. Moving and disposing of water-heavy sludge, often called “biosolids” or “solids” is usually one of the largest expenses for wastewater treatment plants along with labor and energy costs. That’s because even completely clean water weighs 8.3 pounds per gallon, and a 90-95% water sludge mixture is very expensive to move, process and dispose.
What is the best coagulant for phosphorus?
Ferric- and aluminum-based coagulants are effective in reducing phosphorus levels in wastewater, but they enable other problems that must be addressed with additional products like polymers and related labor-intensive processes.
Why are polymers used in wastewater treatment?
The versatility of polymers makes them not only useable in the manufacturing process but also in the treatment of the “dirty” water that is produced during the process of manufacturing. Polymers are also helpful to municipalities in the sewage treatment process. Often in dealing with wastewater the challenge is how to separate ...
Why do polymers help in coagulation?
Polymer products help aid in this process, because many of them can be used to coagulate particles, thus making it easier to separate them out. In coagulation, polymers can be used to cause particles to join together in large chains (called floc) making them “come out” or begin to “settle out” of the water.
What is polymer used for?
Polymers and their use in Wastewater Treatment. If you have been awake and out of bed today for at least 5 minutes, you probably have already been in contact with a polymer-containing product. In fact, polymers touch almost every area of our lives in modern times. They help form the basic structure of materials we experience every day like plastic, ...
How do monomers join together?
Monomers join together to form the polymers. There can be a multitude of monomer molecules in one polymer molecule, the more there are the stronger the polymer chain. The very nature and structure of the polymer molecule makes it useful for so many industrial uses.
What is dry polymer make down?
Dry polymer make-down equipment: Dry polymer make-down systems (see Figure 9) typically include a wetting system (including dry polymer feeders and a rapid fill water dispenser), an aging tank, and a day tank for feeding the activated solution. A full batch system minimizes the number of tanks. For example, a mixer could be programmed to provide both the initial high-energy and the second-stage low energy mixing, and then the activated solution could be fed from this same tank. Other systems maintain separate tanks to optimize for each function.
What is the process of making a polymer into a make down?
Dilution water is mixed with neat polymer to produce this dilute solution in a “make-down” process (which can also be referred to as a “make-up” process).
What should an operator know about polymer?
The first thing an operator needs to know about polymer is that polymer creates a dangerous slipping hazard when introduced to water. Extreme caution should be exercised whenever working around, or especially when cleaning around, polymer.
Why are polymer solutions so viscous?
Because polymer solutions are so viscous, they are difficult to inject and disperse rapidly into the solids flow stream, especially if the concentration of the solids receiving the polymer solution is thick.